The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-12

refusal, in the very teeth Of death, to accept
a word of comfort from reverend minister
of religion Fischer sang the famous MAR.
selllaise" with seemingly not thought Of
the dread massacre at the Haymarket. The
four prepared for the march toward the gal
lows almost as if it were pleasant holiday
excursion. While the warrants were being
read the dark boards and eyes of Fielden
and Schwab appeared against the bars OF
their cell doors just above. The men were
phenomenally calm while being pinioned.
When the reading of the warrants was fin
ished, both Spies and Fischer looked straight
into the sheriff's eyes and said SHERIFF,
you are now about to commit judicial muir
der" When Fisher was bound and placed
beside Spies, he nodded to Spies in a pleas
ant manner, and asked him Gn GERMANY how
he felt. Spies smiled good naturedly and re-
piled that he felt first-rate Engel. while
standing s.I,l, beside Spies and Fischer, said
well" as If to inquire their feelings. Spies
and Fischer replied, smiling cheerily and
nodding. ParSOns's warrant was read last.
he seemed nerved up to great tension and
had nothing to say. AS he stepped lightly
from his cell when the reading was finished.
he drew back involuntarily at the sight of
three ghostly looking figures bound and
shrouded before him. Again he stepped out
with look of defiance. blind me tight"
he said; ''be sure and make no mistake"
The deputy complied too well. Forming
double file, each of the four Anarchists,
side by side with deputy, they started for
the gallows.. A stop at the iron sdoor of the
cages gave the four chance to turn their
heads in the direction of the second gallery
to bid good bye to Schwab and Fielden.
and that you may soon be Free" shouted
Fischer. Then he added, Good bye, SAM"
Good bye, SAM" echoed Spies and Engel.
Parsons said nothing.
Schwab stood at the door of his cell, his
hands folded behind. His brow overhung
bars. Tears streamed down his cheeks and
ran into his black, unkempt beard. So over
come was he that ne could not speak Rev.
Dr. Bolton offered the prisoners spiritual
consolation for the last time but sarcastic
smile lit their faces as they resumed their
into the dark east angle, disappearing like
ghosts up the steps of the gallows.
1t lacked just seven minutes and half of
the hour of high noon when single white
surrounded figure, above which was face of
yellowish pallor, the face of August Spies.
gaping crowd ten feet below half rose in
voluntarily from their chairs at the first
glimpse of the apparition advancing across
the scatfold Spies looked calm and glanced
at the reporters with trace of his old time
cynical smile. He walked firmly over the
drop, guided by the grasp of deputy to the
furthest edge of the gallows. Following
close came Fischer, close enough to touch
Spies's shroud had his hands not been pin
Toned under the white muslin. Fischer's
countenance had peculiar glisten totally
unlike the ashiness of EngePs heavy fea-
lures, and in strange contrast with the dead
lack of color in the pinched lineaments of
Parsons. The once jaunty, vivacious Texan
came last, a withered old man. All four
stepped from the second tier of the cells to
the scaffold. The spectators drew a long
breath. Inc four men were placed upon the
trap. All were ghastly pale. Spies's hair
seemed to literally stand upon end. Engels
shoulders seemed nearly to touch the top of
his head. Parsons set his teeth firmly to-
gether and looked down calmly upon the
crowd beneath. His face was the face of
man OF iron: A murmur of admiration for
his unfinching nerve went through the spec
tators: Engel turned around and said
something inaudible to the edeputy 1t
was evidently of jocular character,
for the condemned man laughed heartily.
Fischer looks at him moment and then he,
too, put In remark. Spies and Parsons, at
either end of the scaffold maintained stolid
and dignifed demeanoT, but there was look
OF unutterable woe on the face of the ex-
editor, which pierced the hearts of those
surrounding the scaffold. The shrouds had
thelrlcells. Nothing remained but to encrcle
each one Of their necks with the moose and
to cover each head with the cap. Jailor Folz
Spies. A quick movement, so
quick that it can hardly be noticed. and the
rope is around his neck and being drawn
Iaut. There was not movement of a
muscle. Folz moved a step, and in mo-
nent the throat of Fischer was encircled by
she moose. He moved his head up and down
IS If it hurt him. Engel did not move as
he operation was being performed. Par
ons riyeted his gaze on the ground and his
eatures were contracted. All four were
vidently determined to die game. A dep
ty approached Spies with the cap in his
and. The condemned man said something
a an undertone. He was evidently remon-
pies looked still more earnestly The deputy
ooked at the sheriff; the latter closed his
yes. 1t is enough. The cap is quickly
lrawn over the face of the Anarchist leader.
Z has been seen for the last time in life.
The head of Engel was next COW
red, then Fischer. Parsons last. Fischer's
read moved up and down in the direction of
he sheriff, who, with his hands upon the
ron railing Of the gallery. was ready to give
he signal. 1t was as though the Anarchist,
Us well as he could in his muslin-covered
lead, was beckoning the sheriff to approach
him. That official, however, did not re-
pond. There was moment of deathlike
stiffness; then clear and distinct comes the
Voice of Spies. The muslin seemed to move
n harmony with his lips: Our silence is
more, powerful than speech" That is all,
'ut there was ring to it that echoed far
way down the corridor. Silence again for
econd. Then in round, full voice shout:
'Hurrah for anarchy" came from Engel
Another pause, broken this time by the voice
# Fischer: This is the happiest moment
+ my life,."' He has had his say. Then the
lear, well modulated voice of Parsons
freaks the oppressive stiffness. There was
lot that enthusiastic ring in it which marked
he utterances of the others. 1t was not the
'oice OF Judge delivering a decision. A
carcely definable pause between each word:
women of dear America" The sheriff
hifted his position little. He was several
eet away from the speaker, but the speaker
must have seen the movement through the
olds OF the cap. There was rising lnfiec.
ion in his voice: LET me speak. Sheriff
he people be heard" Down went the drop.
me last words of Parsons had died upon
lis lips. Four bodies swung in the air, and
he Haymarket massacre was avenged. The
lrop fell at 11.5506. From the first step of
spies upon the scaffold until the cutting of
econds had elapsed. For moment after
he drop had fallen not a soul stirred A
ow mnrmur, like a pent up sigh of relief,
vent through the corridor. Then, as If
noVeu Dy common impulse, every man rose
Q his feet and every eye was riveted upon
he body of Spies. The Anarchist was dy-
ng hard. His legs and arms moved convul-
'ively with extraordinary rapidity: it was as
'hough he were alive and conscious and
struggling to free himself from the cords
hat bound him. His whole frame was agi-
.ated by quivering tremor. Low groans of
lorror came from many lips, and the ex-
preston, Hes dying hard" was heard on
LII sizes. This continued for over a minute
AN hour it seemed to be-and then the
fainter and fainter till they
lnally ceased. The bodies of Engel and
FISCHER We're motionlesj for a moment after
.he drop fell, save for the swinging to and
fro: Then Fischer's legs drew up and down
ana there was convulSive movement in his
arms. EngePs struggles were brief. Par
sons alone died as though his heart had been
pierced by bullet. He came down like a
og. There was not twitch, not single
contraction of the muscles. His neck had
been broken instantly. All the others were
slowly strangled to death.
After the Execution.
After the execution, the bodies of the An
irchists were prepared for burial, and were
1iewed by hundreds of the former friends of
he deceased. The wives, relatives and
iweethearts sitting by the coffins of their
lead, attracted much attention.
THEIR LAST HOURS.
Song, Story and Bravado Heard In
the Chicago jail.
Lieutenant Hartke, who has been guard